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Sea-basin scale MSP analysis for the Eastern Mediterranean

SUPREME

Abstract:

This study was done to develop a sea basin scale analysis to support the implementation of MSP in the Eastern Mediterranean area covered by the SUPREME project. Data and information were collected at different geographical scales: the geographical scope of SUPREME, regional and country scale and the scale of case study areas. This project report serves to harmonize information available to support the MSP process within the region.  

Sea Basin(s):
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East Mediterranean
Country:
Croatia
Greece
Italy
Slovenia
Application in MSP:
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Unknown effect
Type of Issue:
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Cross-border cooperation
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Land-sea interactions
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Sea-basin cooperation
Type of practice:
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Study
Stage of MSP cycle:
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Stocktake
Cross-border / trans-national aspect:
Yes
Key words:
sea basin scale analysis
SUPREME
Source / Links:

Develop a basin scale analysis strongly MSP oriented
Download

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • How is a sea basin scale analysis developed for MSP?

Implementation Context:

Under the SUPREME project, this study was developed for the harmonization of sea basin scale information to support MSP in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Aspects / Objectives:

  • To harmonise all the information available
  • to summarise, organize and synthesizeknowledge considering the necessity of undertaking an MSP process, 
  • to recollect and elaborate on priorities, concerns, critical issues, as well as knowledge gaps on the entire SUPREME domain, 
  • to set the state of knowledge in order to frame the subsequent phases in implementing the MSP process. 

Method:

Data collection and analysis was performed to produce Country Fiches for each of the SUPREME countries with the following components:

  1. General Overview
  2. The Marine Environment (MFSD based/oriented)
  3. Maritime activities and their socio-economic trends
  4. Land-sea interactions
  5. Conflicts and synergies in the use of maritime space
  6. Legal framework and governance structure
  7. Planning Issues 
  8. Transboundary issues

These country fiches were used for a comparative analysis to survey the different land-sea interactions of the SUPREME countries, which attempted to take the following sectors into account:

Main Outputs / Results:

Country fiches covering the themes proposed within the methodological section were developed. These address planning issues and sector conflicts to be considered, when determining the sea-basin scale analysis for the study region. 

The results are summarized as follows:

Geographical scale of study

General Overview of geographical and physical features

General overview of marine delimitations & jurisdictions

Qualitative descriptions of the Marine Environment:

  1. Biological diversity 
  2. Non-indigenous species 
  3. Commercially exploited fish food webs
  4. Human-induced eutrophication
  5. Sea-floor integrity 
  6. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions 
  7. Concentration of contaminants and pollution effects. 
  8. Contaminants in fish and other seafood 
  9. Marine litter
  10. Energy and noise

Maritime activities and their socio-economic trends

Land-sea interactions

Conflicts and synergies in the use of maritime space

Legal framework and governance structure

Planning Issues 

Transboundary issues

Transferability:

The conceptual framework on sea-basin scale analysis in MSP described in this study can be used to inform MSP processes in other sea basins.

Responsible Entity:

NTUA,UTh (with the participation of CORILA and YPEN)

Costs / Funding Source:

Agreement EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/01/S12.742087 -SUPREME

Contacts:

Prof. Sofia Avgerinou-Kolonia 
NTUA
skoloniaatarch.ntua.gr (skolonia[at]arch[dot]ntua[dot]gr)

Prof. Marilena Papageorgiou
UTh
marpapageoatuth.gr (marpapageo[at]uth[dot]gr)